Eyehategod at Chelsea’s Live in Baton Rouge
What do you do on a chilly Thursday night in Baton Rouge, LA? Go see a metal show, of course. New Orleans metal giants Eyehategod made a stop at Chelsea’s Live in the Capital City to celebrate 30 years of their 1993 album Take As Needed For Pain.
Formed in the late 80s, Eyehategod is one of the better-known bands to come out of New Orleans’ metal scene. They are described as “sludge metal”, with notes of blues laced in their guitar riffs that give them a distinctive sound. And on this particularly cold night, they brought along Electric Age and Writhings, a band from my hometown so I’m particularly proud. Special shoutout to drummer Taylor Borque for being awesome.
Chelsea’s is a mid-size venue that boasts a good amount of room for the inevitable mosh pit that was a given. Upon entering the venue, you are immediately hit with the merch table, where my buddy bought an Eyehategod patch. Support your artists, people. I arrived early so I got to watch people trickle in. And I have to take this moment to give a special acknowledgement to the ones that not only show up early, but stake their spot at the front center of the stage. You have my admiration.
I always tell people if their going to a show, go early. Those opening acts may just turn into your new favorite and Thursday was no exception. Opening the evening was Electric Age, a trio of very talented musicians whose sound could best be described as “stoner rock”. Very bluesy, very grungy. I love to see a doubtful crowd won over and this crowd was no exception. While small, the crowd bobbed along to the groove.
Up next was Writhings. The trio from Lafayette were harder than Electric Age and the pit began. I’d like to make note of the small chick with a ponytail that beelined it to the pit and held her own. You are my new hero.
After a brief set change, Eyehategod took the stage. Lead singer Mike IX Williams talked with the crowd while the rest of the band finished setting up. He was so personable and it almost felt like just hanging out with friends on their back porch. That sentiment was gone the minute they launched into their set. Gone was conversation, replaced by banging heads and moshing. The energy remained at the highest level for the entire set, leaving the crowd in that exhausted ecstasy that can only happen after a good metal show.
The guys are going to be trekking across the southeast US for the next couple weeks, wrapping up in Hattiesburg, MS on December 17th.
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